The main aim of this course is to examine the issues, concepts and institutions that regard risk society and uncertainties. It is often claimed that risk has become one of the defining futures of contemporary societies. Form this departure this course aims to focus on the risk society, uncertainties and political action. It will be providing an inter-disciplinary social science perspective on debates over the character of 'risk society'. We expect students to be involved in the critical analysis of risk in relation to developments in contemporary societies and its implications in areas such as sociology, social policy, health policy and criminal justice. In general, we are aiming to understand risk perceptions, attitudes and behaviours in a broad variety of social contexts and its translation in to politics. We are going to examine how political action being overwhelmingly effected by the risk perceptions and risk communication?

In this course we shall consider the concept of What is the sociology of risk? From industrial society to risk society, Theories of culture and risk society (M. Douglas, Giddens, Lash, Beck), Global risk society as a cosmopolitan society (Giddens), Studies of environmentalist, anti-nuclear and anti-war movements in terms of risk society. The problem of risk society and the breaking of authority. Collective action in risk society and anxiety.